for the money... if you are looking for AWD and cruise control... which holds surprisingly well on the 5spd.... if you are looking for horsepower and torque.... I think this is the best deal. I've done further research on other cars on the market even after my purchase and the only other AWD/4wd in the price range is the Jeep Patriot, the only other car with the hp/torq is the VW Rabbit.
personally for a total package I am and was sold on the 2.5i... would have been nice to have the dual exhaust on the 5dr though.